5 Things you may not know about Manchester new boy Benjamin Mendy

By dsguser24 July 2017

Benjamin Mendy's signing for Manchester City from Monaco has taken Pep Guardiola's spending past £200million this summer.

Here, we look at the 23-year-old in more detail.

1 Born in Longjumeau, France, Mendy hails from the same Le Havre academy as Manchester United's Paul Pogba. He signed his first professional contract in July 2011 with Ligue 2 club Le Havre and he made his debut a month later aged 17.

2 Real Madrid left-back Marcelo is the player Mendy takes inspiration from. Speaking of the Brazilian, he said: "I watch his control, his crossing and I like his defensive qualities. That's something I miss, to be a little more defensive in my soul."

3 Feted Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa has had a significant influence on Mendy's career. On taking over at Marseille, Bielsa felt Mendy lacked focus, so sent him to speak to experienced duo Jeremy Morel and Rod Fanni for inspiration. "Bielsa was serious. These are two experienced players and have played for several clubs. Away from the field they were professionals but before I was not," Mendy said. A professional attitude led to Mendy to look at his life in more detail, seeking out a dietician to help him improve.

4 Nevertheless, Mendy still retains a reputation as a dressing room joker, with suggestions last season he enjoyed pranks such as putting ice cubes in his team-mates' socks.

5 Mendy has 471,000 follows on Instagram and 242,000 followers on Twitter. He dropped a hint he was joining City earlier this month when he posted a picture of him shirtless in Union flag shorts stood on sand dunes stating "See you soon."